AUSTRALIA OUSTS LIBYAN DIPLOMATS

AUSTRALIA OUSTS LIBYAN DIPLOMATS; Libya's Moves Incite Fear

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF, Special to the New York Times

Published: May 20, 1987

NOUMEA, New Caledonia—
Libyan overtures to the South Pacific are provoking fears of a new front of Libyan-sponsored terrorism, in a region unaccustomed to anything more violent than a free-falling coconut.

Here in New Caledonia, where a large Melanesian minority apparently favors independence from France, there is apprehension that Libya will encourage violence and rebellion. Already several dozen Melanesian separatists have gone to Libya for training.

The president of the Melanesian independence coalition, Jean-Marie Tjibaou, suggested in an intervew that within the next few weeks his organization might express its willingness to accept arms from Libya. But Mr. Tjibaou noted that it would be difficult or impossible for Libya to transport weapons to this closely guarded island.

''There is good reason that Libyans fill people with fear,'' Australia's Foreign Minister, William G. Hayden, said after returning from a trip to New Zealand to discuss the situation with that country's Prime Minister, David Lange. ''It is a real problem for the region.'' 'Potential for Mischief-Making'

The chief American representative at the United Nations, Vernon A. Walters, said on a visit to Fiji in April that the United States was concerned by any attempt by Libya to destabilize the Pacific.

''To be blunt, Libyans have a considerable potential for mischief-making,'' Mr. Walters said. Much of the alarm is directed at Vanuatu, an independent nation in the South Pacific north of New Zealand and west of Fiji. Vanuatu signed a fishing agreement with the Soviet Union this year and has cultivated its relationship with Libya, apparently in the hope of getting financial aid. It has sent more than a dozen people to Libya for visits or training.

Two Libyans came to Vanuatu recently to open a Libyan embassy, but Prime Minister Walter Lini refused to let them, saying they had not followed protocol. He added that if they followed protocol they probably would be permitted to open an embassy.

That has aroused concerns that the Libyans could serve as a channel for money and arms to anti-government rebels in New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and elsewhere.

''Vanuatu could be the conduit through which the poison passes to encourage terrorism throughout the region,'' a diplomat in Vanuatu said. A Denial by Vanuatu

But Vanuatu Government officials deny that they will permit Libya to use their country in that way. They also note that Libya has embassies in many countries around the world, including Australia.

Libya's Ambassador to Australia, Shaban Gashut, has been called the mastermind of the expansion of his country's influence in the Pacific. Mr. Gashut did not return several telephone messages requesting a comment.

The press in Australia and New Caledonia has been thick with rumors of Libyan funds or arms being dispersed through Vanuatu. There seems to be little or no evidence to back the charges.

The latest rumor, of arms shipments from Libya to Vanuatu, seems to be based only on sightings of mysterious crates on a dock in Port-Vila, without any firm evidence that they contained weapons or that they came from Libya. Mr. Lini has denied that his country receives arms from Libya. But he said he would like to send policemen to Libya for training.